Cup Final Agony For Rangers.

Rangers suffer cup final defeat after dreadful start!

It was always going to be a tough game against an in form Broadfields United and Rangers weren't helped when first choice goal-keeper Jack Brooker pulled out during the warm up with a shoulder injury. Stand in Development Team keeper Norbert Stanszewski was pressed into action and he wasn't helped by a static Rangers defence as early as the fourth minute when Broadfields broke down Rangers' left and opened the scoring with a free header from eight yards, giving the young keeper no chance. From the restart Martin Griggs gambled on a loose ball and attempted a lob but the ball bounced just wide. Broadfields doubled their lead on eight minutes as they made the most of a fortunate ricochet. The ball deflected kindly from a Rangers challenge and dropped to a Broadfields player on the edge of the box. If the deflection was fortunate the finish was far from it, as he volleyed the ball into the top corner. Rangers were rocked and struggled to contain Broadfields as they marauded down the slope at the Rangers goal. Rangers could have pulled one back on twenty minutes when a clever free kick found Griggs who uncharacteristically chipped the ball straight into the thankful keepers hands. Two minutes later and Broadfields hit the Rangers woodwork after two Rangers defenders failed to clear their lines. With ten minutes to the break Rangers finally began to get their act together as they enjoyed some good possession but with Broadfields in determined mood chances were few and far between. Marcus Wyllie shot over from distance then Griggs' bicycle kick was well over. On the stroke of half time Rangers best move so far saw Lawrence Clark's cross pick out Griggs at the far post but Rangers top scorer was always stretching and he could only toe poke it wide with the keeper nowhere.

Rangers bought on Kevin Mealor and Asher Yearwood at the break in an attempt to change things and it almost paid off in the first minute when Griggs was through on goal but the normally reliable striker was denied when the keeper made a point blank save. It was to prove a costly miss. Three minutes later and Mealor shot wide after a good move as Rangers started brightly. Broadfields defended well in those opening minutes and it was clear that they had no intention of giving up their lead. 15 minutes into the half and Stanszewski had to be quick off his line to deflect a chance as United hit on the break. At the other end Rangers made a half hearted shout for a penalty when Wyllie went over in the box but it would have been harsh on Broadfields. Yearwood then headed over from a corner following a freak bounce but then with 72 minutes gone Rangers were given some hope when Griggs smashed a low shot into the bottom corner to score his 38th goal of the season. Broadfields looked nervous now but that was to last for only six minutes however when a flukey goal extended Broadfields lead again. Following a long punt up-field from the Broadfields right back the Rangers keeper came rushing from his line too fast and totally mis-judged the bounce and looked in horror as the ball bounced over him toward an empty net. Staneszewski tried to race back but it was too late, as a United striker made sure by bundling the ball over the line. The goal killed of the Rangers fightback as they visibly faded. Broadfields nervousness disappeared and they kept putting the ball in to the Rangers half at every opportunity. Staneszewski made a good save at the feet of Broadfields striker as Rangers hopes faded. Broadfields managed the game well in the closing minutes but Griggs almost pulled one back in the dying minutes after the Broadfields keeper punched away his free kick and from the rebound Griggs second shot was deflected over. When the final whistle went Broadfields United deservedly celebrated. There was little between the teams technically but for much of the game they had been physically stronger than Rangers and their two early strikes won the game before it had even started!

Rangers Man of the Match: Martin Griggs. This will be a game that Rangers will want to forget but Griggs showed character and determination even when the game looked lost.